Aamir Khan
Profile:
Actor, filmmaker, producer
He Says:
• Do what makes you happy; don’t worry about being successful.… Be courageous.… Live life on your terms.
• When you go through loss, personal or professional, I feel it is very important to mourn that loss.
Aamir Khan was all of 17 when he informed his parents that it made no sense for him to continue studying science, commerce or anything else, when he knew that he was to spend his life in the film industry. Even though his family had a strong film industry background, they were understandably upset and tried their best to get him to change his mind.
The young Aamir started his real acting career with Qayamat se Qayamat Tak and soon became a rage in Bollywood. Over the years, he evolved as an artist, rendering a whole host of characters.
In the process, Aamir sought to change the mores of middle-class Indian parents to let their children follow their own path.
At 46, the man is original, intense, spontaneous and wise beyond his years. Yet, he connects with today’s twenty-something generation with an ease that both older and younger heroes envy.
My daughter Niti is 26. She tells me she has been swooning over Aamir Khan ever since she was five. “Because he is no ordinary movie star. He is a filmmaker. [and not a moviemaker]. People don’t always make a distinction, but very often ‘film’ is more elevated, more intellectual, and of lasting value.… It’s not just a difference between being serious and comedic, because there are definitely lots of films that are comic and movies that are serious. Do you even get it, dad?” she asks me. She is nervous that I might even mess up the interview.
So here I am with Forbes India’s photo editor Dinesh Krishnan on a Sunday morning at Aamir Khan’s very ordinary looking apartment at Pali Hill in Bandra, Mumbai, to learn what enables Aamir to steal my daughter’s heart. He gazes away from me and looks at nothingness.
Then the man speaks: “Do what makes you happy; don’t worry about being successful.”
Aamir Khan Productions did some more smart work. Their research showed that in the hinterlands of India, it was the regional film that grossed double the money a Hindi film did. So, Aamir Khan Productions had the entire student population mapped all over India and he travelled from Gujarat to Bengal, to Chandigarh. In every place, he gave interviews to regional newspapers and television, which made front-page news. The movie was a hit before it was screened.
(This story appears in the 09 September, 2011 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Amazing article by Subroto Bagchi. Aamir Khan truly inspires me.
on Feb 25, 2012Amir Khan is a true professional in all the sense of the word. He professional in his work, professional in his thoughts and professional in his social relationships. He can inspire anyone to achieve their true potential.
on Dec 15, 2011Amir - one man who gives moral through films. Subroto - one man who gives moral through CLASS values of MindTree
on Sep 25, 2011I like Aamir very much since I watched his film "Jo Jita Wahi Sikandar..............." I never miss his any movie and even adds... I like Lagaan, 3 Idiots, tare Jamin Par, Dil Chahta he and many more. I like Dhobighat also..... I wish Best luck to him... Hope he will Make good films again and again..........
on Sep 24, 2011I m also big fan of Amir Khan... wat a personality !!! Mr. Perfectionist...
on Sep 9, 2011Amir is good and different personality in film industry. I like his style of acting. Forbes also likes it.
on Sep 9, 2011I am a big fan of aamir since his Dil Hai Ke maanata Nahi days.......if i read abt hindi movies it is always aamir and his movies...i have read so many interviews and collected a few ( which r worthy).....and i feel like adding this one to the list.......it is a rare opportunity these days......so thanx Mr. Subroto.......the photos are also good......
on Aug 30, 2011Excellent peice of read...both these men inspire us to move ahead in life. Thank you Subroto.
on Aug 29, 2011their is a reason why aamir khan is an actor of rare talent,he gives this impression of being a constant & conscientious learner about everything that life offers him.this man commands respect for lending a quiet dignity to a craft often viewed by many as frivolous.thank u subroto for keeping the interview ecclectic & subtle like the man himself.
on Aug 28, 2011I used to think that actor's are self-centered and are not thinkers. Actors like Aamir, changed my perception completely. I realised I should not stereotype people.
on Aug 27, 2011Great Interview by Subroto Bagchi. I am a fan of both Subroto and Aamir Khan. Its nice to hear once a while just abstract interviews where you get to hear only few things about great achievers but put in a crisp and interesting manner. Aamir has managed to successfully enthrall for now 2 decades and we as movie lovers owe him a lot. Good job Forbes...keep giving such good articles
on Aug 27, 2011